December 2016 Wrap-Up

December 1, 2016

Dear Friend:

Happy Holidays! Snowflakes, decorating, listening to my son’s laugh and spending time with extended family – that is what makes this “the best time of the year”. However, for oral, head and neck cancer patients, survivors and caregivers – each day, and especially the Holiday season, presents difficult challenges and many mixed emotions.

Recently, I met a couple, Abigail and Paul, who were told the unfortunate news that Paul’s cancer was now terminal and he had less than six months to live. Paul, who is only 42 years old, lives in Florida and is a runner. He has so many tumors now, and sadly, Abigail fills me in on his final journey.

At 39, during a regular check-up Paul’s doctor noticed something on his tongue – a biopsy revealed that he had tongue cancer. The tumor was removed and he had had chemotherapy and radiation. Unfortunately, less than two years later, in 2014, Paul’s cancer came back and he had to have his entire tongue removed. During the surgery, his surgeon also took part of his thigh to create a free flap for his mouth. Tragically, four months later, the cancer came back in his neck and despite intensive treatments, the cancer metastasized to even more parts of his neck, throat and jaw. Abigail and Paul made the difficult decision to stop the treatments because the side effects were significant and his quality of life was very poor. Every day, your donation goes a long way to assist in supporting patients like Paul.

Today, Paul, Abigail and I are asking each one of you to contribute your #HNCA 2016 Year-End Gift. Our goal is to save lives, raise awareness and help thousands more patients navigate through their cancer diagnosis and treatment.

PLEASE make a special year-end donation of $25, $50, $100 or whatever you can afford to help us deliver programs and save lives!

We simply can’t do it without you. Your support will make a real, lasting impact in the lives of those who are facing the many challenges of their oral, head and neck cancer diagnosis.

If you feel like there is something going on and don’t quite know, Get Screened. Find out what it is. Too many people wait until it’s too late. The key is early diagnosis.Jim KellyNFL Pro Football Hall of Famer and head and neck cancer survivor

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